Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987)

"The Louisiana Creationism Act requires either the banishment of the theory of evolution
or the presentation of a religious viewpoint that rejects evolution.

Teachers Don Aguillard & Susan Epperson

Louisiana, 1982. The State's new Creationism Act permits public schools to teach evolution, as long as "creation-science" is taught with it. You can't legally teach one without the other. The state says the Act furthers "academic freedom" and "a basic concept of fairness." Parents, teachers and religious leaders say it does the opposite.

In 1987, the Supreme Court rules the law unconstitutional. "The Louisiana Creationism Act," writes Justice Brennan, "advances a religious doctrine by requiring either the banishment of the theory of evolution from public school classrooms or the presentation of a religious viewpoint that rejects evolution. Because the primary purpose of the Creationism Act is to advance a particular religious belief, the Act endorses religion in violation of the First Amendment."

For more...

Teachers Fight for Darwin's Place in U.S. Classrooms NY Times

Religion In The Public Schools U.S. Dept of Education

Defending the Teaching of Evolution in the Public Schools National Center for Science Education

AMENDMENT 1 Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Assembly

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. [^].

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